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Analysing public opinion & confidence in the EU

Flash analysis on breaking European affairs

In-depth policy research by Our Experts.

Open Europe’s landmark report contributes in two important respects. First, it strengthens our negotiating hand, clearly demonstrating that Britain could prosper outside the EU – Brexit is not a bluff. Second, it forces those who advocate leaving to set out a clear vision for Britain’s future after the break. They will have to choose between populist protectionism and xenophobia on the one hand or free trade and wholehearted globalisation on the other.

Lord Wolfson of Apsley Guise, Chief Executive of Next , the Daily Telegraph, 23 March 2015

Our Experts

Nina Schick

Communications DirectorAs Open Europe’s Communications Director, Nina specialises in both EU policy and political communications, leading the radical overhaul of Open Europe’s digital communications strategy. Her policy-areas of interest include Anglo-German relations; Germany’s place in the EU; EU-Russia relations and the digital economy.

Nina is a regular current affairs commentator, with a slot on Monocle 24’s flagship radio programme, ‘Midori House’, and a column for EUobserver. She often appears on international broadcast analysing breaking EU developments.

Nina holds degrees in history and politics from University College London and the University of Cambridge, graduating from both institutions with distinctions. Prior to joining Open Europe, Nina worked in journalism and political research at organisations including BBC Parliament; Spiegel Online; the Sunday Times and UK Parliament.

Pawel Swidlicki

Policy AnalystPawel joined Open Europe in 2011, since establishing himself as an expert and media commentator on a range of issues from the EU budget and EU regional policy, to the role of national parliaments in EU decision making. Pawel also follows how domestic politics in the UK, Poland and Germany impact on these countries' EU policies.

Pawel has worked on Open Europe Intelligence which has informed and shaped policy at both the UK and EU level. These include refocusing the EU budget, identifying an common Anglo-German agenda for EU reform, and changing the rules around EU migrants’ access to benefits to preserve the principle of EU free movement.

Prior to joining Open Europe, Pawel worked in the City for two years and also in Westminster, where he interned for a Lib Dem MP. Pawel holds a BA in History from the University of Leicester - during which he spent a year at the University of Regensburg in Germany - and an MA in International Relations from the University of Nottingham.See Articles
Follow @pswidlicki Email: pawel@openeurope.org.uk

Pieter Cleppe

Head of Brussels OfficePieter is the Head of the Brussels office of Open Europe. A trained lawyer, Pieter previously practiced law in Belgium, and has worked as a cabinet advisor and speechwriter to the Belgian State Secretary for Administrative Reform. Pieter also previously worked as an analyst at the Belgium’s Itinera Institute, which he helped to found. He received his legal training at the Catholic University of Leuven, and also studied law and economics at the universities of Hamburg, Bologna and Vienna. Pieter is fluent in Dutch, English and French. He also speaks German and intermediate Italian.See Articles
Follow @@pietercleppe Email: Pieter@openeurope.org.uk

Raoul Ruparel

Co-DirectorRaoul Ruparel is Co-Director at Open Europe. He is also a contributing author for Forbes, where he write on EU issues; the Eurozone crisis; central banking and macroeconomics.

Over the past years Raoul has been at the forefront of analysing crucial issues around Europe. He has led Open Europe’s research into the Eurozone crisis, helping to advise governments and corporations on how to deal with the crisis as well as the potential institutional and regulatory response. Raoul has been heavily involved in the economic and financial analysis of the evolving crisis in Ukraine, and the ensuing sanctions placed on Russia. He has also worked extensively on issues relating to EU trade and economic prosperity, as well as the economic impacts of hot political topics such as migration.

On top of his regular articles for Forbes, Raoul is a frequent contributor to the broadcast and print media including, CNBC, Bloomberg, BBC and Sky as well as the FT, WSJ and the Times. Raoul holds two masters degrees in economics and public policy from the University of Chicago and a BA in economics and politics from the University of Manchester. Prior to joining OE, Raoul gained work experience at financial firm Habibbank AG Zurich.See Articles
Follow @RaoulRuparel Email: raoul@openeurope.org.uk

Stephen Booth

Co-DirectorStephen is Co-Director at Open Europe. While at Open Europe he has written on EU regulation, justice and home affairs and EU aid policy. Stephen holds an undergraduate degree in political science and was awarded the Jean Monnet Prize for his master's degree in European studies from the University of Sussex. Stephen's professional interests include democracy and transparency in the EU, the interaction between domestic and EU law and European cooperation in crime and policing. He is half Dutch. See Articles
Follow @OpenEurope Email: stephen@openeurope.org.uk

Timm Luebben

Head of DigitalTimm takes a leading role in Open Europe's digital communications, while also focusing on Anglo-German relations and Germany’s place in the EU. He is fluent in German, French, Dutch, and English.

Prior to joining Open Europe in 2012, Timm worked at the European Union Delegation to the United Nations in New York and at the World Affairs Council which is one of the largest and most active foreign policy forums in the US. He holds an MA in international relations from the University of Groningen, and a BA in European Studies from the University of Maastricht, during which he also studied at the University of Oslo.See Articles
Follow @OpenEurope Email: timm@openeurope.org.uk

Vincenzo Scarpetta

Policy AnalystVincenzo specialises in the politics and economics of Southern Europe and is a regular commentator in print and broadcast media across Europe. Vincenzo has co-authored policy-changing Open Europe Intelligence on EU free movement, employment law, financial regulation and the European Neighbourhood Policy. He is also an expert on the EU institutions, the Eurozone crisis, and the cost of EU regulation.

Prior to joining Open Europe in 2009, Vincenzo worked at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An Italian native, he is fluent in French and Spanish, and speaks good German. Vincenzo holds a Master's degree (Hons) in international relations and world politics from the University of Naples "L'Orientale" and a Master's in international affairs from the University of Bologna "Alma Mater Studiorum." He has also worked as a musician, and has a diploma in classical piano from the Conservatory of Music of Avellino - his home town in Italy.See Articles
Follow @LondonerVince Email: vincenzo@openeurope.org.uk

Need to know facts

Yes

29%

No

55%

Not sure

16%

Yes

29%

No

55%

Not sure

16%

Although half of German voters said they support ‘Political Union,’ in the Eurozone, when asked if they would be willing to accept permanent fiscal transfers and a common budget in order to save the euro – the majority (55%) rejected it outright.Source: YouGov Deutschland for Open Europe & Open Europe Berlin.

CDU/CSU

29%

SPD

18%

Greens

9%

FDP

4%

Linke

6%

AfD

5%

Pirates

2%

Other

2%

None

11%

Don't know

15%

CDU/CSU

29%

SPD

18%

Greens

9%

FDP

4%

Linke

6%

AfD

5%

Pirates

2%

Other

2%

None

11%

Don't know

15%

When German voters were asked which party best represents their views on Europe and Eurozone policy, both the CDU/CSU and the SPD scored well below their wider support on 29% and 18% respectively. Many Germans said they 'don't know' (15%) or 'none' (11%), while 5% think the anti-euro AfD party best reflects their views.Source: YouGovDeutschland for Open Europe & Open Europe Berlin